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Times-Advocate, 1983-12-21, Page 17QUALITY FURNITURE WHY PAY MORE? 4'1 Whitings Phone 235-1964 D.spft. .b.etkas, Exeter will pep, op Despite strong objections from several members, Ex- eter council this week ratified a decision by 'the general government committee to end their practice of withholding the unpaid portion of taxes in the levies for county council and school boards. In 1982, council embarked on a policy of withholding the uncollected portion of taxes in their levies to the other jurisdictions and that rever- sal of policy this week drew sharp criticism from finance committee chairman Bill Mickle. It even prompted Coun- cillor Dorothy Chapman to leave a written message with council on her position in the matter. She's on holidays, but through a written statement given by Deputy -Reeve Lossy Fuller, voiced her objection to the new position. She said that withholding the unpaid portion of taxes from the county and school boards was "a most direct and meaningful way" to ad- vise tpose other jurisdictions of the hardships being ex- perienced by some ratepayers in these difficult financial times. Councillor Gaylen Josephson said he too regret- ted the change, saying that the lack of response to Ex- eter's position by other com- munities disappointed him. However, the most stinging comments came from Mickle in a three-page comment he read to council. He said he realized council members "reluctantly" reversed their position on withholding taxes and noted he was making his statement .�d on the situation "so we are clear in our mind about any future action." Mickle said that the municipality is a collector of taxes only for the other jurisdictions and should not be expected to provide bank- ing services fog them by for- warding money that in fact has not been collected. Noting that 60 percent of the taxes collected are earmark- ed for other jurisdictions, the Reeve said therefore 60 per- cent of the delinquent taxes are monies owed by the delin- quents to other jurisdictions. He feared that paying the uncollected portion of tastes would place the town's work- ing capital reserve in jeopar- dy and could result in the town having to borrow funds Fire cause undetermined Investigations into the cause of a fire which resulted in damages of $250,000 to Ex- eter Produce & Storage Co. have been completed with of- ficials from the Ontario Fire Marshal's office unable to find a definite cause for the blaze. Fire Chief Gary Middleton GETS KEY — Huron County's 1984 Warden Tom Cunningham, RR 1 Auburn, receives the "key" to the county from immediate past warden Grant Stirling of Goderich Townhip. Mr. Cunningham defeated Goderich Reeve Horrry Worsell in a 27 to 4 vote at the county's inaugural meeting on Dec. 3. Beats Goderich man Hullet farmer warden Computers for Huron Coun- ty, the future of the museum and the upkeep of county roads will all require deci- sions from Huron County Council in 1984, says new Huron warden Tom Cunningham. Cunningham, the reeve of Hullett Township since 1980, defeated Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell in a 24 to 7 recorded vote for the top posi- tion in the county at council's inaugural meeting on December 13. In his election speech the warden outlined the three areas which he felt should receive high priority in the coming year. "The first issue is the deci- sion of whether or not to com- puterize. There will be a recommendation coming Carry through on crackdown Exeter police carried through on a warning issued last week to keep a closer eye on underage drinking in the community. , Over the weekend, officers made spot checks at local dances and house parties and as a result, two minors have been charged with consuming liquor. Two breakins are also under investigation by the police and at press time, they did not know if anything was stolen in the two incidents. Entered were the offices of Moffatt & Powell Ltd. and Smith Peat Roofing, both located on Highway 83 West. Two collisions were reported. The first was on Friday on Main St. near Gidley and involved vehicles driven by Ronald Elford, RR 3 Exeter, and Eric Gerber, RR 2 Ailsa Craig. Constable Dan Kierstead set damage at $1,800. On Saturday, a vehicle operated by Mary Vandergunst, RR t Langton, was in collision with one driven by Douglas Parsons, 390 Edward St. Damage was listed at $800 by Sgt. Kevin Short. No injuries were reported in either. Kelly John Schuster, no fix- ed address, charged with the assault of a local teenage girl a week ago, appeared in Goderich court on Monday. Judge W.G. Cochrane remanded the youth to the London Psychiatric Hospital for assessment. He is to ap- pear in court again on January 13. Over the weekend, police had several complaints from local citizens regarding the theft of their outdoor Christmas lights. ..• from the 1983 executive com- mittee on this. I hope that county council can accept this recommendation," he said. As for the county museum, Cunningham said council may be ready to make a deci- sion on it in 1984. A Toronto firm is currently working on a study of the museum. "The county museum could be a very costly project, depending on how we decide to proceed," said Warden Cunningham. The warden has served as road committee chairman for the past year and in that capacity he observed that "we are falling behind in the maintenance of our county roads." I would hope our roads do not deteriorate as some in other places have been allow- ed to. I feel the driving public in Huron County do not want our roads to deteriorate to this state." The 44 -year-old warden has been in municipal politics for eight years. He started as a councillor on Hullett Township Council then pro- ceeded to deputy reeve and on to the reeve's chair. His first venture into public office was as a trustee on the Hullett Township school board in 1967 and 1968. The warden is also a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters. At. county council, Cunn- ingham served as chairman of the former development committee in 1981 and as chairman of the road commit- tee in 1983. The warden and his wife, Ila, reside at RR 1 Auburn. They have five children, Lin- da who is attending the University of Windsor, Debra who is attending the Univer- Please turn to page 4A c. said this week the investiga- tion has now been concluded into the December 9 fire. Late Sunday night, the local fire department was called to the scene of a chimney fire at the Carling St. residence of John Campbell. No damage occurred. to pay the levies. Concluding, Midrie said the position taken by council in withholding payments may not have been popular, but he said he was able to "stand this heat". While being adamant in his position, Mickle also sug- gested that the cost of collec- ting taxes should be analysed so the cost is equally shared by those receiving portions of the money collected. "Why should our budget absorb the total cost?" he questioned, adding his hope that council had only taken a one-year stand on prepaying tax ar- rears to other jurisdictions and that the matter would be reconsidered in the future along with efforts to get sup- port from other municipalities. JUNIOR FARMER AWARDS -- Pot Hodgert and Maurice Ryan were named Junior Farmers of the year at Friday's annual banquet of the South Huron Junior Farmers. From the left are Florence Ryan, Pot Hodgert, Maurice Ryan and Cliff Hicks. ernes Serving South Huron, North Middlesex 101 �. aF i sxs � One Hundred and Eleventh Year 4 75 & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, December 21, 19113 Price Per Copy 50 Cents Fire post sharing adds to rift between Exeter and neighbors There's another ri(t open- ing up between Exeter and its neighboring municipalities of Usborne, Stephen and Hay. ' This time it's over the pro- posed purchase for the Exeter and Area Fire Board and, ironically, the establishment and operation of the board has often been cited as a model that should be follow- ed in sorting out the current impasse over recreation funding. At their December meeting, the fire board members considered the pur- chase of a $45,000 tank truck, but Exeter's representatives failed to get support for their argument that it was an ex- penditure that should be borne only by the three townships and should not fall under the cost sharing agreement. In explaining the situation to Exeter council this week, Mayor Bruce Shaw noted that the tank truck is used almost exclusively to carry water to the site of r,oral fires. Conversely, Exeter's fire protection is provided through a water distribution system and hydrants, the cost of which is borne solely by Exeter. • Shaw said he and Reeve Bill Mickle contend that "it would be fair and reasonable" for the townships to pay for the tank truck on their own or, if Exeter is expected to help pay for the tank truck, that the townships share in the cost of providing hydrants in Exeter. He explained that Exeter's share of the fire board op- eration is 52 percent and therefore the purchase of the new tanker would cost Exeter approximately 127,000 of the total price. Currently. Exeter pays $20,400 annually to the Exeter PUC for the rental of fire hydrants. That cost is not shared by the townships. Mickle added his contention that the tanker is basically a service required by the townships and if the total cost is to be shared by all four municipalities, then all four should share in thelotal cost of fire protecugn which would'' include the hydrants and ser- vice of them. Councillor Ben Hoogen- boom noted that the argu- MORE BUILDING The value of building per- mits issued in Exeter this year has hit 12,221,698 with one month still to go. This year's total is more than double last year's final figure of $919,145. During November, building inspector Brian Johnston ap- proved permits valued at $71,617. There were 15 residential renovations and additions and one commercial. ment would require "a real selling job" because Exeter has only three represen- tatives on the seven -member board and can therefore be out -voted on the issue. Members of council were quick to jump to the support of Shaw and Mickle over their stand on the matter. "We should go on record as a council to uphold our representatives' stand," com- mented Councillor Bill Rose. Deputy -Reeve Lossy Fuller, the third Exeter member on the fire bird who was absent from the December meeting, said she supported the stand taken by Shaw and Mickle and said that Exeter shouldn't go in on the cost of the tanker unless the townships were willing to share in the cost of the hydrants. Shaw acknowledged that CHRISTMAS SCENE AT TRIVITT ANGLICAN — A Christmas pageant featured the Sunday morning service at Trivitt Anglican Church in Exeter. Back, left, Kathy McDonald, Christine McDonald, Tracy Humphreys, Michelle Northcott, Paul Nutt and Richard Phillips. Centre, Rachel Nutt, Melanie Phillips, Jennifer Heywood, Rebekah Voir, Sarah Voir and Jerri Lee Davis. Front, Jeremy Straw, Stephen Straw, Scott McDonald, Michael Heywood, David Northcott, Meaghon Straw, Crystal Ann Davis and Christopher Genttner. T -A photo Ladies invited to this one We're going to have a levee Exeter council agreed this week to kick off Ontario's bicentennialcelebrations with a new year's levee to which all citizens will be invited. While levees are tradi- tionally held in the morning on New Year's day and were "men only" affairs, this one will be held in the early even- ing on January 2 and will be followed by council's regular meeting. The event is slated to get underway at the old town hall at 5:30 p.m. A bicentennial flag provided by the province will be unfurled, and follow- ing some brief comments on the significance of the occa- sion, all those in attendance will be invited into the town hall for hot cider and birthday cake. The council session, to which the public is invited, will follow in the town hall at approximately 7:00 p.m. Deputy -Reeve Lossy Fuller, member of an ad hoc committee planning the event, wondered this week if members of council should dress in period costume, noting that idea had already been vetoed by Mayor Shaw. "I hate Hallowe'en," Shaw announced, getting some ver- bal support from Councillor Gaylen Josephson and other male members. However, Shaw agreed that people wishing to do so could dress appropriately for such an historic occasion and he in fact encouraged people (at least others) to dress in period costumes. SANTA VISITS HURON HOPE — Santa Claus with the help of members of the Grand Bend Alhambra Caravan brought gifts to the Huron Hope Developmental Nursery School, Friday. Above, Heather Jean Snell enjoys a talk with Santa. In the back are Alhambra members Gerry Backx, Bill Vandernberk, Jim Dolton and Phil Walker. Thoft, drinking driving result in jail sentences A Kippen man who has spent most of the past month in custody awaiting trial, was sentenced to a total of 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to four break, enter and theft charges in Exeter court, Tuesday. Judge W.G. Cochrane also sentenced a drinking driver to a jail term and imposed a 1750 penalty against another. The 18 -month jail term was handed out to Barry Arthur McCallum, Kippen, for breakins in Clinton, Seaforth and Exeter on October 26 and 27. The Exeter branch of the Clinton Community Credit Union was entered on October 26 when $3 or $4 in postage money was taken. Damage to the facility was $200. The amount of loot in the Seaforth and Clinton entries was about 1500. Judge Cochrane was told that the accused had previous convictions for break and enter, mischief and theft and had served two months in jail on a previous charge. He was given 18 months on each of the four charges, with the sentences to run concurrently. Ivan Coleman, King St., Hensel], was sentenced to 14 days in jail after pleading guilty to impaired driving on July 31. He was taken to Ex- eter for a breathalizer test which showed a reading of 340 mJudge Cochrane ruled that Coleman could serve his term intermittently from 8:00 p.m. on Fridays through to 5:00 a.m. on Mondays to enable him to continue working at his job through the week. While not in jail, he is to be on pro- bation and was ordered not to drink any alcohol: Darrell Robert Redmond, Oxford, Nova Scotia, was fin- ed $77) or 30 days after pleading guilty to a charge of driving with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit on October 19. The higher fine was impos- ed because he had one previous conviction and there was an accident involved in Please turn to page 4A the controversy over the shar- ing of the tanker cost was coming at a bad time in view of the current dispute over recreation cost sharing. "We appear to be coming down hard on the townships," he noted, adding with some chagrin that he was a party to both agreements covering fire protection and recreation costs. "But with all the objectivi- ty you could muster on these issues, it is clear that the residents of Exeter pay more than.their fair share." Council then passed a mo- tion to go on record as suppor- ting their representatives' stand in asking for a more equitable position by the tovnithips regarding the truck purchase because it la basically for the protection of township residents. At their December meeting, the board named Hay Township representative Murray Keys as chairman for 1984 and heard Fire Chief Gary Middleton advise that the appointment of a full-time fire chief should be con- sidered "in the very near future" in view of the added hours of inspections and paper work that will be re- quired to keep pace with new legislation recently adopted by the Ontario government. In answer to a question on that, Monday, Shaw said the matter appeared to be a "long term" consideration and not something that had to be con- sidered immediately. The proposed budget presented by Middleton calls for expenditures of 8148,100 for 1984, compared to the 8136,600 approved in the 1983 budget. Of that latter amount, $104,783 has been spent to date. The budget figure does not include the $20,400 fire protec- tion for Exeter representated by the hydrant rentals nor the amount Exeter, Usborne and Stephen now contribute to the reserve fund for the purchase of a new fire truck. WE'LL BE LATE Due to the holiday, Monday, The Exeter Times -Advocate will be published one day later than usual next week. It will be printed Wednesday night for Thursday morning delivery. A 200 HOUR CANDY STRIPER — Judy Coates was honourrsd for having completed 200 hours as a Candy Striper at South Huron Hospital. Above, she receives her award from Alma Godbolt and Sally Lou Raymond.